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When choosing a new home, there are usually several items on the buyer’s list of priorities, but when kids are involved, school systems often top that list. People are often willing to pay more and sacrifice other desires to make sure they are in the best school district for their children. Private schools may be a feasible alternative for some, but that is not the case for many. Even if buyers don’t have children (or plan to have them), they may want to buy in where the schools have the best reputation because it will have a positive effect on resale value down the road. However, it’s important to remember that a poorly ranked school district does not automatically mean that the overall quality of local education in an area is poor. You have to do your research. Consider the age of the schools, their physical condition, the student-to-teacher ratios and standardized test scores. Understanding how the school system works in Tennessee will be helpful in your search as well. In Tennessee, your child can attend any school in your district (called “intradistrict choice”), and students at low-performing schools, as designated by the state, can attend a different school in their district. Some districts allow student to transfer to schools either in or outside their district (“interdistrict choice”). There are also charter schools available. Low-income students are eligible for scholarship funding to attend private schools. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, students attending a Title I school designated as “in need of improvement” have the right to attend a higher performing in the district. So, as you can see, there are a lot of options!